A Walk Back in Time: Visiting Tokyo’s Old Neighborhoods

| Others | Posted by Sharuru on Feb.07.2018

Yanaka

shitamachi-01
Perhaps one of the most famous shitamachi, Yanaka is soaked in remnants of the past and gives visitors not just a glimpse but a true experience of the old-town district. The Yanaka Ginza shopping street is one of the most photographed spots, still bustling with merchants and residents as it has been for decades. Artisan crafts and fresh produce line the streets, many of them family-run businesses. From elderly residents to curious youths, the bygone days of old Japan are kept alive by the people who continue to walk the streets. It’s not even just people—for some reason Yanaka is a cat haven. Highly populated with stray felines, the neighborhood has come to adopt cats as important residents and a symbol of their community. Look out for cat-themed crafts and snacks!

Cat tail donuts ちょうど前の日に谷中の本店前も通ったけど、閉店後だったのでソラマチで。うちの子はぶちだけど、しっぽは真っ黒。

A post shared by @ mki_tkt on Nov 18, 2014 at 9:25pm PST

Yanaka takes their homage to the neighborhood cats seriously. Visit Yanaka Shippo-ya for delicious and adorable donuts shaped like cat tails!

Nearest station: Nippori

Monzen-Nakacho

shitamachi-02

To tourists it may be a hidden gem, but to the locals it’s home as they know it. Monzen-nakacho, located in the Koto ward, preserves the richness of the Edo era when it was once a flourishing entertainment district. Today it’s a lot more toned down, but the peaceful streets still faintly throb with the austere air of yesteryears. Several canals run alongside the town, bringing to mind the image of old Tokyo as a river-dependent city. There also many shrines and temples including the famous Tomioka Hachiman, the largest of its kind in Tokyo and the birthplace of professional sumo. Whether you’re a history buff or simply want to take a stroll in the streets, Monzen-Nakacho will make you feel right at home with their homely restaurants and shops.

Nearest station: Monzen-Nakacho

Shibamata

家族で柴又へごった返してるけど楽しい〜😆 #retro_japan_ #retro #ig_japan #jp_gallary #pt_life_ #photo_jpn #icu_japan #japan_daytime_view #j_world_jp #tokyocameraclub #team_jp_ #ファインダー越しの私の世界 #写真を撮るのが好きな人と繋がりたい #カメラ好きな人と繋がりたい #キタムラ写真投稿 #olympusomd #sigma60mm #スポ乗り写真部 #いいね #snapshot

A post shared by @ hiro_photo48 on Jan 20, 2018 at 8:15pm PST

If you’ve ever watched the classic Japanese film series “Otoko wa Tsurai yo”, you might recognize these streets. Shibamata was the location where the highly popular series was filmed, and to this day fans still come to the nostalgic temple town on a pilgrimage. Sure enough, a bronze statue of the iconic character Tora-san stands outside the station. The series captured the warm, close-knit community of middle-class Tokyo back then, and you can still feel the same bustling livelihood of the town today. Many of the stores have been open for over a century; you can enjoy traditional Japanese sweets and or enjoy the rich taste of local cuisine such as tempura.

Nearest station: Shibamata

In each of these neighborhoods traditional culture is guarded, seemingly far away from the modern city hub. The original nature of such neighborhoods survived the passage of time, and to this day still see people strolling and going about their everyday lives. Talk a walk back in time and take in the charm of old-fashioned Tokyo!

Photos by Sharuru